B01_-_SAM_Synopsis_-_Notice_of_Intent_to_Sole_Source_1.docx

Synopsis – Notice to Sole Source:

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT FOR 2023-24 FREEZE-UP AND BREAK-UP OF ARCTIC SEA ICE IN THE US BEAUFORT AND CHUKCHI SEAS

This Notice is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Acquisition and Financial Assistance Branch, is the contracting office for this procurement. The purpose of this Notice is to announce the government’s intent to issue a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 15 to Coastal Frontiers Corporation, 882A Patriot Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021-3544, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

BSEE has determined that Coastal Frontiers Corporation is the only entity that possesses the unique qualifications and cumulative expertise to meet the program requirements. Coastal Frontiers Corp. (CFC) has been the Primary Investigator for the annual freeze-up effort since the inception of the Joint Industry Project (JIP) in 2009 with Shell Oil-Alaska and later with Statoil. The proposed research is intended to build upon the knowledge gained from previous freeze-up observations, acquired through research sponsored by JIP partners and BSEE since 2009, and to obtain an initial understanding of the nature of break-up under present-day conditions. A key part of this effort includes obtaining present and historical radar satellite (RADARSAT) images that are vital to conducting the required analysis. These images are obtained through a third-party provider and are subject to a non-disclosure end-user agreement. Historically, Shell Oil-Alaska purchased these images and provided them specifically to support CFC’s data analysis for the research effort. These historical images cannot be shared with any other entity including other JIP partners or contractors under the governing End User Agreement. These images do not come from a catalog or database of generic images. Each image is obtained based on the customer’s specific needs (location, date, time, image resolution, etc.). Therefore, it would not be feasible for another vendor to access the images obtained for historical efforts. These historical images are vital for proper scientific analysis of the rapid changes in the annual ice environment.

Additionally, results of the previous freeze-up efforts (which are required for the current requirement), include “proprietary data” that was provided by previous JIP partners and CFC after the end of the JIP which cannot be released to the public per the previous contract terms and conditions. Final results are based on a combination of current and historical RADARSAT imagery analysis, historical proprietary data from previous JIP partners and CFC contracts, and reconnaissance flights flown during each freeze-up and break-up season. Therefore, it is not feasible to separate or redact proprietary data from the final report of previous efforts to be useful and meaningful to a new contractor.

The anticipated period of performance is 18 months from date of award.

PLEASE NOTE: This notice is not a request for proposal (RFP). However, any firm that believes itself capable of meeting the requirement described herein may submit a capability statement or quotation which may be considered if received by the agency by 5:00pm Eastern Time on 20 June 2023. All submissions in response to this notice must be submitted in writing via email to the Contracting Officer at david.villani@bsee.gov referencing 140E0123R0009, on the subject line. A determination by the Government not to compete the Government’s requirements described in this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.